Scrubbing device

ABSTRACT

A scrubbing device in which an absorbent material having a dimension and configuration suitable for cleansing the back of a bather is mounted on a rod member having ends protruding from said absorbent material and a resilient strap impervious to water mounted on each end thereof. The straps are held by the bather and manipulated to actuate the absorbent material in a scrubbing movement over the bather&#39;&#39;s back.

United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,805,314 De Bel Apr. 23, 1974 SCRUBBING DEVICE 2,505,610 4/1950 Ellinger 15/222 x [76] Inventor: John e e 67 ppe 1,700,633 1/1929 Hendrickson 128/58 Prospect Park 07508 Primary Examiner-Leon G. Machlin [22] Filed: Nov. 2, 1972 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-James M. Shashaty [21] App]. No.: 303,029

[57] ABSTRACT 52 U.S. c1. 15/222, 128/58 A Scrubbing device in which an absorbent material 51 1m. (:1 A47k 7/02 having a dimension and Configuration Suitable for [58] Field of Search 15/222, 244 CH; 128/57, Cleansing the hack of a bather is mounted oh 3 rod 128/58, 62 63 401001 203 197, 196, member having ends protruding from said absorbent 4/l5g material and a resilient strap impervious to water mounted on each end thereof. The straps are held by [56] References Cited the bather and manipulated to actuate the absorbent UNITED STATES PATENTS material in a scrubbing movement over the bathers b k. 2,093,110 9/1937 Meleady et a1. 15/222 ac 2,305,982 12/ 1942 Morando 401/8 2 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures SATENTEDAPR 23 1974 FIG. 2

SCRUBBING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. The Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to a scrubbing device and more particularly to a scrubbing device applied to areas of the human body not easily accessible to a bather when showering or bathing.

2. Description of the Prior Art The present scrubbing device is most applicable to a bathers back and eliminates the use of such scrubbing devices as long-handled brushes, and the like; and, further, its application reduces the bathers physical exertion during ablution.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a device of the above type which can be utilized by a bather to facilitate the scrubbing, and the massaging inherent therewith, of his back when bath- It is a further object ofthe present invention to pro vide a device of the above type in which the use thereof permits a bather to scrub his back completely with less physical exertion. Toward the fulfillment of these objects, the scrubbing device of the present invention comprises a spongy material, means for operatively supporting said material on the bathers back, and means for actuating said material in a scrubbing motion relative to the bathers back.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Reference is now made tothe accompanying drawing for a better understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention. The drawing illustrates the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the objects of the invention and are not to be construed as re strictions or limitations on its scope. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the scrubbing device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a profile view of a bather using the scrubbing device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the invention, there is provided a scrubbing device consisting ofa member 12, fabricated of a spongy material and having a substantially trapezoidal crosssection, rotatively mounted on rod means 14 provided with strap means 16 on the respective ends thereof.

The scrubbing member 12 may be fabricated from any suitable soft, light, porous, and easily compressible material characterized by readily absorbing liquids and yeilding them on pressure. such as a synthetic substance like polyester plastic foam or a natural substance like sponge. The scrubbing member is provided with a trapezoidal cross-section with a sufficiently large bottom portion 18 to provide proper ballast when saturated, relative to the rest of the member 12, to prevent any rotation about the rod 14 to maintain a scrubbing surface 20 in contact with the bathers back. In addition, the scrubbing member is provided with an aperture 22 at approximately the central vertical plane thereof wherein the rod 14 is rotatively mounted.

The rod, fabricated from any suitable rigid material, such as wood, metal, or plastic, is provided with rodend portions 24 and 26 extending a predetermined portion from the aperture 22 to permit mounting strap means 16 thereon. The straps may be of any material which is impervious to water and sufficiently flexible to facilitate manipulation by the bather. Each strap may be attached to its respective rod-end in any of a number of means well known in the art; in the preferred embodiment, the ends of the strap are attached by grommets. The rod-ends are provided with suitable end-cap means 28 to retain the straps on the rod-ends. The end caps 28 are fabricated from any suitable material, such as plastic or rubber, so that the straps will be suitably retained on their respective rod-end. In addition, the end caps protect the bather from any abrasive action from uncapped rod-ends.

In operation, as seen from FIG. 2, after applying a soapy substance onto the scrubbing surface 20, the bather places the scrubbing member 12 on his back with the scrubbing surface in direct contact therewith. Thereafter, by manipulating the straps 16 in an up and down direction, the scrubbing surface 20 is maintained in scrubbing contact with the back. It is obvious that in operation, the absorbent scrubbing member 12 becomes saturated to some extent with water and the heavier bottom portion 18 of the trapezoidal member prevents any relative rotation between the member and the rod 14. The present device is of additional value to the bather in that any scrubbing action serves to massage and stimulate the back.

While the present invention has been described in a preferred embodiment, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made therein within the scope of the invention and it is intended that the appended claims cover all such modifications.

What is claimed is:

l. A scrubbing device for a bather comprising an elongated prismatic member of spongy material having across its lengthwise direction a trapezoidal crosssection, support means operatively associated with said member, an aperture extending end to end of said member in the central vertical, lengthwise plane of said member, said support means being mounted in said aperture, and strap means operatively connected to said support means adapted to be activated by the bather to impart a scrubbing action to said member relative to the bathers back.

2. The scrubbing device of claim 1 wherein said support means comprises a rod member having end por-- tions for attaching said strap means thereon, said rod member being rotatively mounted in the central vertical plane of said spongy material. 

1. A scrubbing device for a bather comprising an elongated prismatic member of spongy material having across its lengthwise direction a trapezoidal cross-section, support means operatively associated with said member, an aperture extending end to end of said member in the central vertical, lengthwise plane of said member, said support means being mounted in said aperture, and strap means operatively connected to said support means adapted to be activated by the bather to impart a scrubbing action to said member relative to the bather''s back.
 2. The scrubbing device of claim 1 wherein said support means comprises a rod member having end portions for attaching said strap means thereon, said rod member being rotatively mounted in the central vertical plane of said spongy material. 